Working from a single location, the partners hope their efforts will go some way to making it easier for companies to integrate additive manufacturing technologies into their workflows. The cluster, which has come after a letter of intent was signed by all four parties late last year, will be open to additional participations in the future.

Among the cluster’s first initiatives is to set up a new research institute which will focus on interdisciplinary research in raw material powders, optimised production and the integration of automation. Oerlikon and TUM will deploy their respective engineers and scientists and researchers and students across various faculties to carry out these research endeavours. Similar to the cluster, this research institute will be open for other contributions once the initial framework has been established.

“An integrated collaboration between powerful partners from industry and science is necessary for the industrialisation of additive manufacturing processes,” commented Prof. Dr. Thomas Hofmann, President of TUM. “This is the only way we will be able to overcome technological obstacles and find answers to unresolved issues in the field of standardisation.”

“By having all the players located in a single hub, we are accelerating the development and application of the technology for the various industries,” added Dr. Michael Suess, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Oerlikon Group. “Bavaria is the perfect place for us to house this initiative as it promotes the energy and production efficiency, which supports Germany’s sustainability goals and the country’s desire to incorporate new technologies.”

“We’re excited to be part of this initiative from the very beginning and look forward to building on that solid foundation and driving tangible impact both for the region itself and further afield,” said GE Additive CEO Jason Oliver.

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